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PM Point of View #56. Construction

This is the third in our series from the 2018 Project Management symposium at the University of Maryland's Project Management Center for Excellence. For this episode, presenters and speakers talk about project management in the construction space. Learn about the latest and greatest technologies, such as BIM (Building Information Modeling), cloud sharing, and virtual reality tools like Oculus Rift, which have greatly improved the efficiency and ease of stakeholder management, scope, communication, risk mitigation, budgeting and scheduling.

About the Speakers

Kristen M. Ambrose, AIA, CSI, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C

Kristen M. Ambrose, AIA, CSI, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C is a registered architect with experience in designing higher education environments for teaching and learning. She is a Associate Principal at Ayers Saint Gross Architects and Planners, in Baltimore, MD. Ms. Ambrose has experience as Project Architect for all phases of design and construction and has served as Building Information Modeling or BIM Manager on LEED Certified Academic Buildings. Through her efforts facilitating interdisciplinary design consultant teams, she exercises an interoperable workflow across platforms to merge expertise and optimize design. Ms. Ambrose specializes in spatial data management utilizing digital design media through planning, programming and concept design. She has examined how architecture and the design process can support innovative cross-curricular learning in technology intensive fields. Ms. Ambrose has lectured on the integration of practice-based representation and documentation methods in academia as well as the utilization of BIM across the life cycle of the project from design and construction to facilities management. Ms. Ambrose teaches Building Information Modeling: Integrated Practice and Architectural Design Studio at the University of Maryland, College Park. This course seeks to explore the boundaries of BIM and its ability to visualize, document and coordinate space, understand the concepts and techniques of digital modeling and explore design opportunities in digital media at all phases of practice. The course focuses on ways of exploring architecture by developing collaborative forms of visual communication that re-prioritize ways of seeing, thinking and designing. As the profession struggles to redefine the media and method of architectural deliverables in the age of BIM, this course is uniquely positioned to examine and reflect upon the changing ethical and legal responsibilities such practice might have on the profession and illuminates the strategies contemporary architectural practitioners must employ to prepare for digital practice.

Omoniyi (Niyi) Ladipo, CCM, CCP, EVP with MBP

Omoniyi (Niyi) Ladipo, CCM, CCP, EVP with MBP. Ms. Ladipo is a program manager and team leader with the Washington, DC Metropolitan region of MBP and has more than 30 years of experience in the management of building and civil engineering projects from inception to closeout. She is experienced in quantity surveying and cost estimating, cost management, earned value management, value engineering studies, CPM scheduling, and claims analysis. Ms. Ladipo’s experience includes new construction and renovation of office and residential buildings, bridges, highway, rail and transit projects, and historic renovation of buildings. Her extensive experience includes preparation and review, administration and management of contracts, change orders, applications for payments, CPM schedules, and other project management documentation.

Christopher J. Payne, PE, CCM with MBP

Christopher J. Payne, PE, CCM with MBP. Mr. Payne has more than 29 years of experience in construction management and design, with a wide variety of experience including construction field management, inspection, CPM scheduling, and cost estimating. He has specialized experience in resolution of construction disputes, including analysis of delays. Mr. Payne has provided expert testimony on highway and building disputes. He has nine years of experience with the Virginia Department of Transportation specializing in planning, design, and maintenance of bridges and structures. Mr. Payne is MBP’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Jeff Gravatte

Jeff Gravatte is the CEO and owner of CADD Microsystems, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. He graduated from George Mason University’s School Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering and holds a Bachelors of Science in Electronic and Computer Engineering.
Mr. Gravatte began his career as a Vertical Transportation Specialist, where he was involved in the redesign and retrofit of Elevator and Escalator systems. In this early part of his career he used CAD systems for Architectural and Engineering designs for Government and Commercial buildings. He eventually founded CADD Microsystems to help design and constructions firms become more profitable using CAD technology. His expertise grew out of the design of early CAD systems hardware and software configurations.
Mr. Gravatte studied the design and drafting processes focusing on which parts could be automated with CAD systems. He used this understanding of design practices and technology to become a nationally recognized BIM expert. Today, he maintains a focus on the business aspects of applying design technology. He works with Architects, Engineers, Contractors and Building Owners to provide strategic technology planning. Mr. Gravatte’s activities have included building the Revit DC User Group to more than 200 members, attending Stanford Universities CIFE summer program on Virtual Design and Construction, and writing various articles on the subject of Building Information Modeling.
He is recognized as an expert in CAD and BIM applications speaking frequently at conferences and seminars. Today, CADD Microsystems serves more than 10,000 organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region, offering training, and consulting and software sales for Autodesk products.

Saurabh Gangwar

Saurabh Gangwar is an accomplished, results-driven Executive Leader with more than a decade of AEC industry experience. He is a diversely talented Technologist and Design & Construction Expert with cross- industry contributions and accomplishments encompassing Architectural Design, Construction Management, Technology Management, IT infrastructures, Building Information Modeling (BIM) implementation, Sustainable Practices and LEED compliance. His experience includes over nine years at Hess Construction where he worked his way up through the organization from project engineer to vice president of integrated construction. He currently leads the Construction Industry Division at CADD microsystems to provide technology solutions the AECO industry.
Saurabh has experience in researching, purchasing, and implementing BIM tools, processes and procedures. He has successfully implemented various tools for field project management, quality control and quality assurance, coordination, document management, and model creation. He also has experience developing processes, procedures and implementing tools to streamline the way a construction company executes projects. Saurabh has several certifications, which include LEED AP BD+C, CM-BIM (AGC BIM management certificate), OSHA and first aid/CPR.

Ryan Anderson

Ryan Anderson serves as principal in charge in The Christman Company’s mid-Atlantic office, leading project teams to success in both the public and private sectors. An expert in planning, scheduling, risk management, and coordinating the efforts of all team members, Ryan constantly focuses on finding ways to deliver greater value to clients. As a licensed professional engineer with bachelors and masters degrees in engineering, Ryan has exceptional technical expertise required for the largest and most complex, challenging projects. His experience at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and later in the US Army Corp of Engineers, helped develop him into a leader of character that is dedicated to honoring all commitments with integrity and ensuring that his projects are delivered safely, on-time and within budget, with outstanding results for clients. Ryan joined Christman in 2005 as a project engineer, was promoted to senior project manager in 2011, to project executive in 2013, and to vice president in 2015. Ryan was also instrumental in the establishment of Christman’s federal projects group in 2011.

Sara Collins

Sara Collins: Over her 23 years in the construction industry, Sara Collins has led teams in the areas of operations, preconstruction, and business development. She has served on the facilities staff at a world-renowned academic medical center, has helped develop several $100+ million design-build and P3 projects, and has led the construction of healthcare projects of all sizes. Sara joined HITT Contracting in 2015 as a vice president in the Healthcare sector and in 2017 was promoted to senior vice president and leader of the sector. As a sector leader, Sara is responsible for the safe, skillful execution of new construction and renovation of healthcare facilities, laboratories, and other clinical environments.

Mike Schlegel

As President of Bozzuto Construction Company, Mike Schlegel leads the strategic direction of the organization. Since joining the company in 1999, Mike has overseen the construction of more than 25,000 dwelling units, over one million square feet of retail, as well as public and private infrastructure projects, with an aggregate contract value exceeding $3 billion. He has also successfully expanded (and continues to expand) Bozzuto Construction’s operations to include more product markets and geographic locations in and around the Mid-Atlantic region.
Prior to joining Bozzuto Construction Company, Mike was a Vice President with Clark Builders Group, where he was integrally involved with the company’s startup and growth. Currently, Mike is Chairman of the Board of Montgomery Housing Partnership. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Housing Association of Non-Profit Developers, the Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation, and the Virginia Tech Myers-Lawson School of Construction. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Construction from Virginia Tech. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland with his wife and two children, and is an avid skier, sailor and mountain biker.

Mark Bodner

Mark Bodner is the Founder & CEO of Foresee Consulting. He has been involved in the delivery of mega-projects as an Owner Representative for more than 45 years, having worked in a variety of roles including Chief Scheduler, Auditor of Budgets and Controls, Project Manager and Project Executive on a number of high-profile projects since the 1970’s, such as: EPCOT Center, Canary Wharf, MetroTech, the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, the Ben Gurion 2000 Airport Project and, most recently, the MGM/Mirage City Center project. Foresee Consulting, in operation since 2011, is headquartered in Las Vegas with clients across North America.

Lance Coburn

Lance Coburn is an expert construction attorney with more than 20 years of experience. He represents clients in domestic and international business litigation and is a member of Procopio’s Construction team. He provides representation throughout the construction project process, from pre-construction strategy and contract drafting to lien and defect litigation on multi-billion dollar developments. In particular, he has extensive experience representing developers of resort hotels and casinos on the Las Vegas strip in complex construction law, intellectual property rights, and lien litigation. Lance also has counseled clients on a wide range of media law matters. His practice is based in Las Vegas.